A ‘mixed-media’ memorial to a mason installed on the Black Isle with hand-carved wooden elements.

Stonemason’s sandstone memorial

Stonemason’s sandstone memorial

Stonemason’s sandstone memorial

Stonemason’s sandstone memorial

Stonemason’s sandstone memorial

Stonemason’s sandstone memorial

This is a large (and heavy!) memorial headstone made from two hand-carved, Clashach sandstone blocks for a deceased stonemason.

In honour of his profession, the plinth is a ‘dry stone dyke’ carved from one block of a stone. It also has a fabricated mason’s mallet sitting on top, carved from Caithness slate with a Scot’s elm handle.

Inset into the stone itself is a hand-carved puffin bird, also in Scot’s elm.

I received this lovely message from the client after the installation –

“Dear Stuart – I am sitting on the seat in the graveyard and I can see our stone clearly. Herbie is now really at peace. Even although I have seen all the parts as you were making it, the sum is indeed far greater. I love it more than I could have imagined. Thank you doesn’t touch how grateful I am but thank you.”

This memorial to a mason stone sits in a lovely setting at West Urray Church cemetery near Muir of Ord on the Black Isle.